Marvel Comics history can be traced back to 1939. It has been published under numerous names including Timely Comics and Atlas Comics but truth be told there was never a single umbrella name that referred to the whole publishing company until the 1960's.

The best way to think of Marvel Comics before that point is basically any comic or book being published by the then owner Martin Goodman.

These days any pundit will tell you that be they marked Timely or Atlas or anything else they are still known collectively as Marvel Comics and as the industry leader they have earned the right to their name.

Currently producing some of the most innovative mainstream titles as well as producing interesting and addictive stories featuring the old guard. Fantastic Four, Spiderman, X Men, Captain Marvel, Thunderbolts, Daredevil and the list goes on and on.

Marvel have also in recent years had one of the longest runs of successful films based on their pantheon of characters. Proving just how good Stan "The Man" Lee was at creating them.

At this point pretty much all of the films have spawned or will be spawning sequels in the coming years. As well as some of the other characters gaining their time in the celuloid spotlight.